GM center to advance race engines; BMW designs solar carport

GM race-engine center
General Motors is building a state-of-the-art facility for race-engine design and development, as well as an electric motor lab and gear center in Pontiac, Mich. GM says it applies motorsport technology developments to the vehicles it sells. The GM Performance and Racing Center is expected to open in mid-2015.
— NWautos staff

(BMW)

BMW's solar carport
As part of the recent media launch of the BMW i8 plug-in hybrid in Los Angeles, the company introduced a bamboo and glass solar carport concept. It's designed to work in conjunction with an i Wallbox Pro charging box to generate energy for plug-in cars or the home.
— NWautos staff